Flap lifter for carton-sealing machines



Nov. 20, 1923 1,474,691

W. L. TAYLOR ET AL FLAP LIFTER FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES Filed Oct. 14. 1921 Q 4 Sheets-Sham 1 INVENTORS 7M4 Z 4 ATTORNEYS 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. L. TAYLOR ET AL v FLAP LIFTER FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES Filed OCD. l4

WWW!! -Hum Nov. 20, 1923 mmmumu gf ATTORNEYS I u m Nov. 20 1923 1,474,691

W. L. TAYLOR ET AL FLAP LIFTER FOR CARTON SEALING IVIACIIIIIIIES Filed O f l, 14

- Arron/VH8 Nov. 20, 1923 1,474,691

W. 1.. TAYLOR ET AL FLAP LIFTER FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES A TTOR/VEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1923.

TUNITED STATES PATE r'oI-Hce,

WILLIAM L. TAYLOR AND QHARITES F. RICHARDS, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, AS-- SIGNORS T JOHNSONYAUTOMATIC SEALER co., mix, or BA'rrLncnnnKmIcnI- can, A ran'rnnnsnrr ASSOCIATION LIMITED or MICHIGAN.

FLAP LIFTER FOR CARTON-SEALING mAcIII N sQ Application filed October 14, '1921. Serial No. 507,686.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, \VILLIAM L. TAYLOR and @HARLES F. RIcHAIios, citizens of the United States, and residents of Battle Creek,

Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in'Flap Lifters for Carton- Sealing Machines,.which invention is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to flap-supporting and glue-applying devices and it has for its object to provide an improved mechanlsm of this character which overcomes serious defects and disadvantages inherent .in mechanisms heretofore employed for this purpose. v l

It has heretofore been proposed to support the carton flaps on rollers positioned under the glue-applying devices, the cartons being fed past t ese devices for application of the glue to the flaps thereof and subsequently fed to flap closing and sealing mechanism. L

Devices of this type are objectionable because of the large quantity of glue consumed for the reason that it is necessary to carry a heavy coating on the glue-applying devices in order to completely cover the 'flaps'. Fur-- ther, when pressure is subsequently applied to seal the cartons, the glue is forced out between the flaps and onto the cartons.

-One of theobje cts of the present invention is to overcome thesedefects and disadvantageseby providing flap-supporting devices operating to exert yielding pressure on the flaps while,the same are supported in contact with the glue-applying devices, thus insuring complete coating of the flaps and the application of a thin coating of glue; and, 'at the same time, by reasbn of the yielding of the flap supporters, preventing jamming of the cartons and damage to the de vices. I A further object of the invention is 'to provide flap-supporting and glue-applying devices arranged and constructed to prevent the former from coming in contact with the latter whereby disfiguration of the cartons is prevented, by provision of automaticmeans for controlling the movements of the flap-supporting devices by the presence of a carton to be sealed. I

The invention in its preferred embodiment comprises driven glue-applyin and flap-supporting devices arranged ad acent the carton conveying mechanism, the flapsupporting devices being vertically adjustable and adapted to exert yielding pressure on the extended flaps, of the cartons while the fiaps are in contact with the glue-applying devices whereby the. flaps are entirely covered with a thin coat of glue. The flapsupporting devices are rotatably mounted on the frame of the machine, and include driven shafts having flanges secured thereto which carry arcuate-shaped flap-supporting members of such length and configuration .as to be completely covered by the flaps (luring the-application ofthe glue thereto, the timing of the flap-supporting devices and the conveyer mechanism being such that, when eachv carton is in position to be operated on by the glue-applying devices, the arcuate-shaped flap-supporting members are in their uppermost position to thereby support the carton flaps in contact with the glue-applying devices. The arcuate sha e of the flap supporting members insures su stantially a linecontact between the carton flaps and the gluerollers whereby curving or curling of the flaps-is prevented when the same are engaged by these devices.

The flap-supporting devices are driven from the conveyer mechanism and a detector device is provided that engages the successive cartons to automatically maintain the driving connections aforementioned. Preferably, the detector device is provided with finger adapted to engage recesses on un-I occupled forms of the conveyer mechanism to thereby move a stop member intothe path of travel of a pawl on a clutch that controls the drive to the flap supporters and thereby disconnects said drive and prevents movement of the flap-supporting devices.

The invention is capable. of receiving a variety of mechanical expressions, one of which. for the purpose -of "illustrating the invention, is shown ih the accompanying drawing, wherein 7 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one end of a carton sealing device embodying the present invention;

arrows; I

Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3v of of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the Fig. 1;

ig. 4 is a perspective View showing the improved device Fig. '5 is a detail perspective showing one L of the flap supporters;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the 1- clutch that controls the drive to the flap su porters; 1 4 J ig. 7 is a side elevation corresponding to Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of the stop that is moved into the path of the pawl von said clutch.

Referring to said drawings, the frame Work of the machine may be of any suitable construction, preferably formed of side members 1, 1' connected by suitable cross pieces 2'to provide a rigid support for the operating parts. The frame is provided with legs and the mechanism is arranged and supported within this frame and driven in the usual manner by any suitable means (not shown);

The glue-applying devices. which are of any suitableconstruction preferably comprise a pair of glue-applying rollers, 3, 3 arranged is spaced relation on the top of the frame of the machine. The glue-applying rollers 3, 3, aredriven by a belt 3 passing around a pulley on shaft 4, suitably mounted on the frame and suitably geared to the shaft 3" on which the glue rollers are mounted. Glue is supplied to the rollers 3 in any usual manner. i

A carton flap-supporting device to support the carton flaps in contact with said rollers. Each device comprises an arm 5 loosely mounted at one end thereof for pivotal movement on a stub shaft 6 journaled in any suitable manner in depending bracket 7 secured to oneofthe cross pieces 2. A shaft 8 is journaled in the free end of each of the arms 5 and secured to the inner ends of said shafts are flanges 10 *to which are attached arcuate-shaped flapsupporting members 11, 11 which provide supporting surfaces for the carton flaps 'while'the same are in contact with the glueapplying devices. bolted to the flanges 10 by bolts 11 passing.

Said 1 members may be through openings insaid members and flanges; so." various sizes of flap-supporters may be employed, it being preferred to use 5 flap supporters of substantially the same size as the flaps on the particular type of-carton that is being sealed: a T i F or exerting pressure on the carton flaps while the same are in contact with the glueapplying devices, and automatically providing for the adjustment of these devices to is posia tioned beneath and adjacent each glue roller accommodate flaps of difi'erent thicknesses, each of the arms 5 is provided with an extension 12 (Fig. 1) adapted to receive a set sErew 13'that is held in adjusted position by a lock nut 13, said set screw being adapted to contact a small abutment 14 on i the-bracket 7, the set screw providing an adjustment to limit the vertical movement of the flap-supporting members 11. The distance betweep the flap-supporting members 11, 11 and the-glue-applying rollers 3, 3

is slightly less than the thic'knessofthe flaps carton flaps, the coiled springs 15 will main tain a tension on the arms 5, the tension being brought into play when the flaps are engaged between the glue-applying and flapsupporting devices to thereby exert pressure on theflaps causing a squeezing or spreading action of the glue to insure complete coating of the flaps with a thin uniform layer of glue. Such a coating insures perfect seal-- ing glue. A a

The pivoted arms 5 and the coiled springs 15 provide leverage for the arcuate-shaped flap supporting members 11 whereby the against the glue rollers with great pressure. This leverage and pressure of the flap supporters is further increased by the arcuateof the cartons and a great saving in a latter are caused to hold the carton flaps Y shaped members 11 which provide substantially a line contact between the carton flaps and the glue rollers 3. Each arcuate shaped member 11 thus bears on a minimum area of the carton flap with increased pressure. Due to the increased pressure obtained a by the flap supporters andthe line contact provided by the arcuate-shaped member 11, this device will require a minimum amount of glue, while at the same time a morev efiicient sealing is obtained. *Moreover, a thinner quality of glue may be employed, thus insuring that the package produced will be free from excess glue and discoloration.-

Itwill be observed that a comparatively simple construction is had by the present invention "whichqprovides new features of adjustability and interchangeability of parts. The'd'evice is" highly etlicient in op eration, consists of a minimum number or parts, and decreases the cost of operation of devices of this character.

The carton'conveyer mechanism may be of any suitable construction operating in the usual manner tocontmuously: feed the can nism preferably comprises a pair of endless carriers 16 that carry the form supports 16', the edges of which are guided in suitable grooves 17 formed on the sides of upper and lower longitudinal supporting members 18 and 19 secured to the lowermost cross pieces 2. The forms 20 support the cartons 21, the side flaps 22 of which have beenextended prior to positioning of the cartons on the shown).

forms or by the usual flap spreaders (not The forms 20 are each provided at one side thereof with a groove or recess 23 adapt ed to receive, when no carton is on the form, the free end of a finger 24 secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft 25 extending through an ape'rtured guide 26 (Fig. .2) on the upper longitudinally-extending supporting member 18 and rotatably mounted at its lower end in a vertically adjustable bearing 27. The vertical shaft 25 is provided with an arm 28 which is rigidly secured to the shaft between the apertured guide 26 and the vertically adjustable bearing 27. The arm 28 is provided at the outer end thereof with a suitable aperture adapted to receive the hooked end of a reach rod 29 which extends transversely between the upper and lower longitudinally supporting members 18 and 19 respectively, the opposite hooked end of the reach rod engaging in v a suitable aperture in one arm of a bell crank 31 secured on a spindle 32 rotatably. mounted in adjustable step bearings 33 and 34. :The other arm of the bell crank 31 carries a laterally movable stop member- 35 adaptedto be moved into and out of, the

path of travel of a projecting dog or pawl 36 pivotally mounted on one part 37 of a clutch 37 controlling the drive of the flap. supporters. V

The flap-supportin devices are driven from shaft 38 on whic is secured the sprockets 38' around which pass the endless carrier chains 16 that carry forms 20. This shaft is driven from shaft 4 through chain 4- passing around sprockets 38" on shaft 38. The shaft 38 has rigidly secured near one end thereof a sprocket 39 which drives by means of an endless chain 40 a sprocket 41,,riLidly secured near' one end of a shaft 42 suitably journaled in the frame The shaft '42 a so has keyed thereto a sprocket 43 which, by means of an endless chain 44, drives a sprocket 45 keyed at 45' (Fig. 6) to the hub 46 of the part 37 of the clutch, the part 37 being loosely mounted on a transveIsely-ex-.

tending shaft 48 suitably journaled in the sides of the frame. The other part 37' of the clutch is=keyed to the shaft 48, at 37" and carries the-dog 36. This dog 36 is carried by a pawl 51 (Fig. 6) which has an extension 51' on which the, dog is mounted, said extension having a bearing in.opening 51'T in the fixed part 37. When thepawl 51, under the influence of spring 36 angages the recess-36" formed in the loose part 37 of the clutch, the latter will be driven The spring 36 position to keep the clutch closed.

The shaft 48 has keyed thereto sprockets 52, 52 which, by means of endless chains 53, 53, drive sprockets 54, 54 keyed to the outer ends respectively of the shafts 6. 6

which impart rotation to the flap-support-.

ing shafts 8, 8, through sprockets 6' and 8" on shafts 6 and 8, respectlvely, and sprocket chain 8' (Fig.4).

During the operation of the machine, the cartons 21 are fedwith their side flaps 22 extended to the glue-applying and flap-sup.

flap-supporting deporting devices. The vices are timed with relation to the travel of the carton conveyer mechanism (being driven from shaft 38 around which the conveyor passes) in such manner as to bring the arcuate-shaped flap-supporting members 11, 11 into operative position at the time each of the cartons 21 -passes below the glue-applyingrollers 3, 3. As the car tons 21 are fed past .the finger 24, the latter is moved outwardly, thus rotating shaft 25 and by means of reach rod 29 moving sto mmber35'out of the path of travel of dog 36, thus allowing the clutch 371:0 operate in 5 the' usual well, known manner to drive the shafts 6,6 and 8, 8 and 8. Suitable means are employed to move the finger back into the path of'travel of the cartons, as spring 24' (Fig. 3) and after each passed the finger 24 and the glue-applying and flap-supporting devices, the latter are prevented from rotating by the movement of the stop member into the path of travel of the projecting dog 36 which latter, when rotated by engagement with the stop 35, moves the pawl 51 out of the recess 36" and into the position shown in dotted lines in a Fig. thus opening the clutch and stopping therotation of shaft 48, from which the flap supporters are driven In case any one or more of the cartons should not be properly placed on'the formers, such cartons will engage the flap-supporting devices and move the same downwardly against the tension of springs 15.

' thus preventing damage to the flap-supportion carton has acter where the feed of the cartons is rapid and continuous, it frequently happens that -some of the forms are not provided with cartons to be operated upon by th'e'various sealing and closing mechanisms of the ma-' chine, in which event the stop member timing of the conveyer mechanism and the flap-supporting devices being such that the arcuate shaped flap-supporting members 11, 11 will be stopped in a position remote from the glue-applying devices 3, 3.

In order to preventdamage to the stop member 35, by sudden contact with the projecting dog 36, the former is provided with a ,stem the upper end of which extends through an aperture in one arm of the bell crank 31 and is provided with a transversely extending cotter pin 56 (Fig. 8). The opposite end of the stop member is enlarged to provide a head 57 and interposed between said head and the underside of the bell crank 31 is a coil spring 58 which forms a cushion for the stop member, and said spring is enclosed in a verticallydepending sleeve 59 secured to the bell crank 31 and having spaced relation with the head 57 of the 7 stop member, said sleeve forming a housing for the spring to prevent displacement of or damage to the same. i

\Vhile, for the purpose of illustration. one expression of the inventive" idea has been shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited L,

thereto and that the invention is susceptible of various mechanical expressions, withinthe limits of the appended claims.

hat is claimed is:

1. In a carton sealing machine, the combination of a glue roll, a rot-atablearcuate shaped fla'p supporting member disposed adjacent to said'glue roll, means for feeding cartons pastsaid glue roll with their fl'aps extended for engagement with the same, and means -for rotating said arcuate-shaped flap supporting member whereby the same ,is caused to engage and hold the carton flaps against the glue past the same.

I 2. In a carton sealing machine, the combination of a glue roll, a rotatable arcuateshaped flap supporting member adjustably rollas the cartons are fed mounted adjacent to said glue roll, means each carton againstthe glue roll as the cartons are fed past the same.

. 3. In a carton sealing machine having a main frame and a glue roll mounted thereon, the combination of conveyor mechanism for continuously feedingcartons past said glue roll with their flaps extended for en gagement with the same, meansfor sup:

Laminar porting the carton flaps; and" holding the same against said glue roll as the cartons are so fed, sald means comprising an arm pivotally-mounte'dron the main 'eframe and flap-supporting position as each carton is,

fed past the glue roll, and means operable by engagement with the cartons for maintaining said driving connections, said means being adapted to disconnect the driving connectiops in the absence 'of a carton.

4. In a carton sealing machine having a main frame and a glue roll mounted thereon, the combination of means for feeding cartons past said glue roll with their flaps extended-for engagement with the same, a device for supporting the carton flaps and holding the same in engagement with the glue roll as the cartons are so fed, said device comprising an arm pivotally mounted on the main frame and an arcuate-shaped member rotatably mounted on said armfmeans for rotating said arcu ate-shaped member into flap supporting position as each carton is fed past the glue roll, and means automatically adjusting said flap holding device on interruption in the feed of said cartons. X

5. In combination, a glue roll, an arouate-shaped flap-supporting member, means for periodically moving said member into flap-engaging, position, and means for yieldingly pressing said member toward saidglue roll. I

6. In combination, a glue roll, an arcuate-shaped flap-supporting member, means for periodically moving said member into flap-engaging position, and a sp ing acting to force said member toward said glue roll.

7. In combination, a glue roll, a,pivoted arm, a flap-supporting member carried by the free end of said arm, a shaft for said member, means for periodically moving said member into flap-engaging position, said means including a chain passing around said pivot and a second chain passing around said pivot and said shaft.

8. In combination, a glue. roll, a pivoted arm, a flap-supporting member carried in the free end thereof, a spring normally tending to force said member into engage ment with said roll, means fonperiodically moving sald member lnto flap-engaging position, said means including a drive to said pivot and a second drive from said pivot to said member.

In testimony whereof we havesigned this specification.

' WM. L. rAYLoR. a

enemies rmcnanns. 

